History and architecture

The Foundation

The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia is managed by an ecclesiastical foundation established in 1895.

The founding purpose of the Fundació Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, set up as an ecclesiastical foundation on 20 July 1895, is to administer the budget and execute the construction project for a Temple devoted to the Holy Family, faithfully following the original directives of Antoni Gaudí.

It is made up of the Archbishop of Barcelona and a group of patrons who work together selflessly.

The Sagrada Família, as an expiatory temple, has been built from the beginning thanks to donations from thousands of people over these years.

Since 1992, the Foundation has also administered and managed the Gaudí House Museum, where the architect lived from 1906 to 1925. The house was built as a model home for the development project at Park Güell, designed by Francesc d’Assís Berenguer i Mestres (1866-1914), friend and right hand to the architect. The house passed through many hands after Gaudí died, until it was opened to the public as the Gaudí House Museum in 1963.
The purpose of the Foundation is to raise awareness of the life and works of the architect, and to this end the home has been restored in the style of the years Gaudí spent there and displays the furnishings and other items he designed.

From its outset the construction of the Sagrada Familia, as an expiatory temple, has from been solely financed by donations and contributions given by thousands of people over the years.